Metro
Barcelona Cancel Friendly Against Moroccan Club Over Ceuta Border Crisis
Barcelona have called off their scheduled pre-season friendly against Moroccan side Ittihad Riadi Tangier amid growing concerns over the ongoing border crisis in Ceuta. The Spanish champions were due to face the Moroccan club in Tangier on August 15 as part of their build-up to the 2026/27 season but announced……
Barcelona have called off their scheduled pre-season friendly against Moroccan side Ittihad Riadi Tangier amid growing concerns over the ongoing border crisis in Ceuta.
The Spanish champions were due to face the Moroccan club in Tangier on August 15 as part of their build-up to the 2026/27 season but announced that the fixture would no longer take place.
In a statement, the Catalan club said the prevailing situation made it inappropriate to go ahead with the match.
“In light of the current uncertainty and circumstances, FC Barcelona considers playing the match would be inappropriate,” the club said.
Read Also: Barcelona Signs Anthony Gordon From Newcastle For €80m
Although Barcelona did not directly identify the reason behind the decision, the cancellation has been widely linked to heightened tensions surrounding Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave bordering Morocco.
The territory has been at the centre of an unprecedented migration crisis after tens of thousands of migrants crossed into the enclave from Morocco, triggering security and humanitarian concerns.
Spanish authorities have since returned many of the migrants, but thousands are still in Ceuta as officials continue efforts to manage the situation.
The cancelled fixture marks another disruption to Barcelona’s pre-season schedule after an earlier planned friendly against Preston North End was also shelved following the club’s training camp in the United Kingdom, where Hansi Flick’s side faced Birmingham City.
Barcelona are now expected to continue their preparations with a friendly against Nottingham Forest in Udine, Italy, before taking on Egyptian champions Al Ahly on August 19.
The Blaugrana will begin the defence of their La Liga title on August 23 with an opening-day fixture against Elche.
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